Agnes Kun and Antal Hidas Papers, 1915-1987

Summary Information

Abstract

The papers comprise the correspondence of Agnes Kun (1915-1990), translator, and Antal Hidas (1899-1980), Hungarian poet, with prominent Russian poets and writers; Antal Hidas's memoirs; and manuscripts of translations from Hungarian and original poetry by famous Russian authors.

At a Glance

Arrangement

Arrangement

This collection is organized in four series.

• Series I: Correspondence, 1941-1982, undated
• Series II: Writings, 1940-1987, undated
• Subseries II.1: Antal Hidas's Writings, 1943-1968, undated
• Subseries II.2: Writings by Others, 1940-1987, undated
• Series III: Printed Materials, 1917-1944, undated
• Series IV: Third Parties Materials, 1915-1947

Description

Scope and Content

The collection consists of significant correspondence with prominent Russian poets and writers and manuscripts of translations from Hungarian and original poetry by famous Russian authors. Among authors whose letters and manuscripts are represented in the collection are: Margarita Aliger, Lili Brik, Kornei Chukovskii, Aleksandr Fadeev, Vera Inber, Lev Kopelev, Leonid Martynov, Boris Pasternak, Boris Polevoi, David Samoilov, Boris Slutskii, Nikolai Tikhonov, Nikolai Zabolotskii, and many others. Oversize materials stored in BAR Flat Box #5.

• Series I: Correspondence, 1941-1982, undated

  The series consists mainly of letters to Agnes Kun and Antal Hidas from prominent Russian authors.

• Series II: Writings, 1940-1987, undated

  The series comprises mainly manuscripts of Antal Hidas and famous Russian poets. Organized in two Subseries.

• Series III: Printed Materials, 1917-1944, undated

  The Series includes are edition of Maiakovskii's Liubliu (which is claimed to be from Lili Brik's personal library; Martynov' Poemy with inscription to Agnes Kun and Antal Hidas; Communist and Soviet propaganda pamphlets, 1918-1944; and nine issues of the newspaper Edinstvo of 1917. The newspapers are stored in BAR Flat box #5. All items of this series are cataloged in CLIO.

• Series IV: Third Parties Materials, 1915-1947

  The Series comprises of personal documents (various IDs) of M. Martsinovich, E. Pokras, and A. Razorenova.

Using the Collection

Rare Book and Manuscript Library

Restrictions on Access

You will need to make an appointment in advance to use this collection material in the Rare Book and Manuscript Library reading room. You can schedule an appointment once you've submitted your request through your Special Collections Research Account.

This collection is located on-site.

This collection has no restrictions.

Terms Governing Use and Reproduction

Single photocopies may be made for research purposes. Permission to publish material from the collection must be requested from the Curator of the Bakhmeteff Archive. The RBML approves permission to publish that which it physically owns; the responsibility to secure copyright permission rests with the patron.

Preferred Citation

Identification of specific item; Date (if known); Agnes Kun and Antal Hidas Papers; Box and Folder; Bakhmeteff Archive, Rare Book and Manuscript Library, Columbia University Library.

Accrual

No additons are expected

Materials may have been added to the collection since this finding aid was prepared. Contact rbml@columbia.edu for more information.

Immediate Source of Acquisition

Method of acquisition--Purchase; Date of acquisition--1994.

About the Finding Aid / Processing Information

Columbia University Libraries, Rare Book and Manuscript Library

Processing Information

Papers processed by Tanya Chebotarev.

Finding aid written by Katia Shraga November 2011.

Collection is processed to folder level.

Revision Description

2012-01-12 File created.

2012-01-13 XML document instance created by Catherine C. Ricciardi

2012-04-16 XML document instance updated by Catherine C. Ricciardi

2019-05-20 EAD was imported spring 2019 as part of the ArchivesSpace Phase II migration.

Subject Headings

The subject headings listed below are found in this collection. Links below allow searches at Columbia University through the Archival Collections Portal and through CLIO, the catalog for Columbia University Libraries, as well as ArchiveGRID, a catalog that allows users to search the holdings of multiple research libraries and archives.

All links open new windows.

Genre/Form

Subject

History / Biographical Note

History

Agnes Kun (January 21, 1915-October 19, 1990), translator and editor, daughter of Bela Kun, wife of Hungarian poet Antal Hidas (12.18.1899-01.22.1980), who in the 1920s immigrated to the Soviet Union. Both Agnes Kun and Antal Hidas went through the Gulag. Kun and Hidas became the main Soviet experts on Hungarian literature. It was under their leadership that many collections of Hungarian poetry were translated and published in the USSR in the 1950s. They returned to Hungary in 1959.